11alpha-hydroxylation of 6-substituted-11-desoxy steroids with microorganisms of thegenus fusarium, liseola section



United States Patent 3,203,869 11a HYDRGXYLATIQN 0F 6-SUBSTITUTED-11- DESOXY STEROIDS WITH IVHCROORGANISMS (BE THE GENUS FUSARIUM, LISEOLA SECTION Carlos Casas-Campillo, Mexico City, Mexico, assignor to Syntex Corporation, Panama, Panama, a corporation of Panama No Drawing. Filed June 17, 1963, Ser. No. 288,495 Claims priority, application Mexico, Oct. 11, 1962,

Claims. c1. 195-51) This invention relates to a novel process for preparing cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene derivatives.

More particularly, this invention relates to a novel process for the lla-hydroxylation of ll-desoxy steroids which are substituted at the 6-position by a lower alkyl group, e.g., a methyl group, or by a halogen, e.g., fluorine or chlorine, by incubating said ll-desoxy steroids with microorganisms of the genus Fusarium, Liseola Section.

It is well known that the majority of the compounds of the pregnane series which have therapeutic activity, and especially those which show corticoid activity, and which. therefore, are used as anti-inflammatory agents, possess an oxygen function at the ll-position. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the llfi-oxygenated steroids having a halogen atom at the 9u-position are powerful antiinflammatory agents which are useful in the treatment of conditions such as arthritis, allergic dermatitis, and the like.

Various microbiological methods for the introduction of a hydroxyl group at the ll-position of the steroid molecule are known in the art. Among the microorganisms which have been employed for this purpose are fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Mucor, Pestalotia, Neurospora and Helicostylum [for example see H. Eppstein et al., Vitamins and Hormones, vol. 14, page 359 (1959)].

However, attempts to carry out ll-hydroxylation of steroids substituted at the 6-position using the aforementioned microorganisms have resulted in very poor yields.

US. Patent No. 2,950,226 to Mannhardt et a1. describes the lloc-hYdlOXYlflfiOIl of A -3-keto steroids and their A and/or A -analogs, having the dihydroacetone side chain, using microorganisms of the genus Fusarium. The strains mentioned in said patent are those belonging to the Sections Discolor, Gibbosum and Elegans Oxysporum, e.g., F. equz'seti var., bullatum [Taxonomic System of H. W. Wollenweber and A. O. Reinking, Die Fusarien, ihre Beschreibung, Schadwirkung und Bekiimpfung, Berlin (1935)]. Nevertheless, the more frequent transformations effected by different species of Fusaria are hydroxylations at the 61S- and a-positions of the steroid molecule [for example see Capek et al., Folia Microbiol.,

vol. 5, pages 251-256 (1960); Kliiber et al., Naturwiss., vol. 44, page 40 (1957), and Gubler et al., Hel. Chim. Acta, vol. 41, page 301 (1958)]. In this vein, I have previously accomplished the 6fi-hydroxylation of steroids by using microorganisms of the Fusarium genus, partic- .ularly those belonging to the Liseola Section (Gruppe Liseola of the aforementioned Taxonomic System of Wollenweber and Reinking), and specifically the transformation of Reichsteins compound S into the corresponding 6fi-hydroxy derivative, without appreciable hydroxylation taking place in other positions on the steroid molecule.

The present invention is based on the surprising discovery that when ll-desoxy steroids substituted at the 6-position by a lower alkyl group, e.g., a methyl group, or by a halogen, e.g., fluorine or chlorine, are contacted with cultures of microorganisms of the genus Fusariurn, Liseola Section, or with enzymes produced by said cul- 3,203,859 Patented Aug. 31, 1965 ice 5 tures, llu-hydroxylation is accomplished in almost quantitative yields.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a novel method for the preparation of cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene derivatives.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a novel method of lloc-hydroxylating ll-desoxy steroids which are substituted at the 6-position by a lower alkyl group or a halogen which involves the use of microorganisms of the genus Fusarium, Liseola Section.

These and other objects of my invention will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.

The process of the present invention may be employed for the lla-hydroxylation of 11-desoXy-6-alkyl or 6-halo steroids of the androstane, pregnane, cholestane and sapogenin series. Accordingly, several types of side chain may be present at the l7-position in the steroid starting material or substrate, and substituents such as keto groups, free or esterified hydroxyl groups, lower alkyl, alkenyl and alkinyl groups, halogens, acetals, ketals, ether groups, and the like, may also be present at the 17-position as well as at other positions on the steroid nucleus. Furthermore, these starting materials can be saturated or unsaturated at the 1,2-, 4,5- and/ or 6,7-positions.

A particularly preferred class of steroid starting materials for use in the practice of the present invention encompasses the 11-desoxy-6-alkyl and -halo pregnane derivatives represented by the general formula:

wherein R represents hydrogen, a hydroxyl group or an acyloxy group, preferably a hydrocarbon carboxylic acyloxy group, containing less than 12 carbon atoms, e.g., acetoxy, propionoxy, butyroxy, enanthoyloxy, benzoyloxy, trirnethylacetoxy, cyclopentylpropionyloxy, and the like; R represents hydrogen or a hydroxyl group; R represents hydrogen, u-methyl, fl-methyl, or a-hydroxy; R and R taken together can also represent the grouping:

wherein R and R can each represent hydrogen, an

alkyl (including cycloalkyl) group containing up to 8 carbon atoms, or an aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl or monocyclic heterocyclic group, and R and R taken together can also represent a cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl or monocyclic heterocyclic group; X represents a lower alkyl group, e.g., a methyl group, or a halogen, e.g., fluorine or chlorine, in either the aor the B-configuration, preferably the former, and Z and Z represent single or double bonds at the 1,2 and 6,7-positions respectively.

An illustrative but by no means exhaustive listing of starting materials coming within the scope of this general formula which can be hydroxylated at the Ila-position by the process of the present invention includes:

60: methylprogesterone, 6,8 methylprogesterone, 6afluoroprogesterone, 60c chloroprogesterone, 6oz methyl- 17a-hydroxyprogesterone, 6B-methyl-l7a-hydroxyprogesterone, 6a-fluoro-17a-hydroxyprogesterone, 6u-chloro- 17 on hydroxyprogesterone, 6a-methyI-Z1-hydroxyprogesterone, 6u-fluoro-2l-hydroxyprogesterone, GB-fiuoro-Zlhydroxyprogesterone, 6u-chloro-2l-hydroxyprogesterone, 6a methyl-A -pregnadiene-3,20-dione, 6a methyl-A pregnadien-17u-ol-3,20dione, 6u-fluoro-A -pregnadien- 2l-ol-3,20-dione, 6a-methyl-A -pregnene-17u,21-diol-3,20- dione, 6a-fll1Ol'O-A p1'6gn6n6-17o,21-diOl3,20-di0116, 6ozchloro-M-pregnene-170:,21 diol-3,20-dione, 6oz methyl- A -pregnadiene-17a,21-diol-3,20 dione, 60c fluoro-A pregnadiene-17a,21-diol-3,20-dione, 6a methy1-16a,17aisopropylidenedioxy-A pregnen 21 ol 3,20 dione, 6afiuoro 160:,17oc isopropylidenedioxy-A pregnen-2l-ol- 3,20 dione, 6a-chloro-16a,17u-isopropylidenedioxy-A pregnen-Z l-ol-3,20-dione, 6a-fil10f0 1612,17oc isopropylidenedioxy-A -pregnadien-21-ol-3,20 dione, 60c chloro- 1606,1706 isopropylidenedioxy-A pregnadiene 21 ol- 3 ,ZO-dione, 6a,16a-dimethyl-A -pregnene-17u,21-diol-3 ,20 dione, 6u-fluoro-16a-methyl-A -pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,20- dione, 60c chloro 16oz methyl-A -pregnene-17a,21-diol- 3,20-dione, 6a,16ot-dimethyl-Nfi-pregnadiene-17a,21-diol- 3,20-dione, Goefluoro- 16a-methy1-A -pregnadiene- 17,2ldiol-3,20 dione, 6a chloro-A -pregnadien-17a-ol-3,2O- dione, 6a-chloro-A -pregnadiene-170;,21-diol-3,20-dione, 6n: chloro-16m-methyl-A -pregnatriene 170:,21 diol- 3,20-dione, and the like.

As previously indicated, 11-desoxy-6-alkyl and -halo steroids of the androstane series, e.g., 6a-methyltestosterone, 6a-fluorotestosterone, 6u-chlorotestosterone, 6amethyl-A -an-drosten-l7fl-ol-3-one, 60,170t dimethyltestosterone, 6ot-fluoroandrostenedione, and the like, may also be used as starting materials to produce, in each case, the corresponding llot-hydroxy derivatives.

The classifications which have been proposed for the various strains of Fusarium are generally complicated, and can give rise to certain ambiguities. However, this presents no problem with respect to the practice of the present invention, inasmuch as my novel hydroxylation method employs microorganisms from the well-defined Liseola Section of the genus Fusariurn, as set forth, for

example, in the aforementioned Taxonomic System of Wollenweber and Reinking. The following strains are especially preferred:

Gibberella fujikuroi (Fusarium moniliforme), SynteX strain IH-4 (ATCC No. 14842), and

Gibberella fujikuroi (Saw.) Wr. (Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Baarn, Holland, Nos. 917, 1001, 1004 and 1139; ATCC Nos. 11573, 12764, 9851, 11161 and 10704).

These microorganisms are also known as:

In practicing the present inventiion a culture of a microorganism of the genus Fusarium, Liseola Section, is incubated under aerobic conditions in a suitable culture medium, i.e., one containing carbohydrates, salts, and organic nitrogen sources, at a temperature between about 25 C. and 28 C., until an abundant growth of the mycelium is obtained, usually in approximately 3 to days.

Among the culture media which can be used are those containing potato dextrose-agar and Czapek-agar (Czapeks medium, Difco Laboratories, Inc., Detroit, Mich.; a

mixture of sucrose, sodium nitrate, potassium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, ferrous sulfate and bacto-agar) Among the nitrogen sources which can be employed in the culture medium are soya bean flour, corn flour, and commercial products such as Casitone, Edamine, Phytone (an enzymatic digest of soya meal; Baltimore Biol. Lab., Baltimore, Md.), Mycophil, and the like. Other carbohydrates which can be employed are glucose, lactose, and the like.

The mycelium obtained by incubating the microorganism in the culture medium can be used in any of several ways to convert the steroid starting material to its lloc-hydroxy derivative.

In one method, the mycelium is first dispersed and aliquot quantities of this dispersion are then added to bigger quantities of the same culture medium. Next, the steroid starting material is added, either in crystalline form or in solution in a suitable solvent, preferably dioxane, and the mixture is incubated, with stirring, under aerobic conditions to facilitate the growth of the microorganism and the oxygenation of the steroid starting material.

Alternatively, the culture medium may be inoculated under sterile conditions with a culture of the microorganism, and either simultaneously or when the growth of the microorganism has been initiated, the steroid starting material is added.

Enzymatic preparation of the oxygenating microorganism can also be employed, using methods which are well known to those skilled in the art.

However, the method which affords best results is that wherein the microorganism is first developed in a suitable culture medium, under aerobic conditions and in the absence of the steroid starting material. The resulting mycelium is then separated from the medium by filtration, washed with distilled water, and resuspended in Czapeks medium supplemented with 0.05% yeast extract, in which the steroid starting material has been previously suspended. The resulting mixture is stirred and aerated at a temperature between 25 C. and 28 C. for a period of time in the order of 12 to 24 hours, following which the reaction product is isolated by extraction with a suitable solvent.

In general, a concentration of the steroid starting material of about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the substrate, will be employed, although concentrations greater or less than this amount can also be used.

When the oxygenation process is completed, as can be determined, for example, by paper chromatography in accordance with the Zaffaroni method [Recent Progress in Hormone Research, vol. VIII, pages 51-86 1953)], the product may be. recovered from the mixture by extraction with a solvent which is immiscible with water. Included among the solvents which can be employed are chlorinated hydrocarbons and organic esters, such as chloroform, methylene chloride, carbon tetrachloride, ethylene dichloride, ethyl acetate, and the like. The extract obtained may be reduced to a small volume or evaporated to dryness, thus producing a solid product which can then be purified by any of several methods, the most common being chromatography and crystallization.

1 IOC-hYdI'OXYIatIOII of 11-desoxy-6-alkyl and -halo steroids may also be carried out using spores of microorganisms of the genus Fusarium, Liseola Section, which are free from the mycelium formed during fermentation, in an aqueous medium free from nutritional substances. In order to obtain spores free from the mycelium, the vegetative growth obtained in a suitable culture medium containing carbohydrates, salts and organic nitrogen sources, preferably Czapeks medium, is first filtered through glass wool to separate the mycelium. The resulting filtrate is centrifugated to separate the spores, which are then washed with water several times to completely eliminate the nutritional medium. The spores thus obtained may be kept in dried form or suspended in water or buffered solutions at a low temperature. Furthermore, such suspensions may be standardized to contain a definite number of spores per cubic centimeter.

The lla-hydroxy steroids obtained through the process of the present invention can be converted, using known methods, into the corresponding ll-keto steroids. Where a 21-hydr0xy group is also present, it will be protected by selective esterification or by formation of the l7,20;20,2lbisrnethylenedioxy grouping before converting the 11ahydroxy group to an ll-keto group. These lla-hydroxy steroids can also be converted into the corresponding 9ahalo-ILB-hydroxy and Qu-hfllO-ll-kCtO steroids by methods such as that described by Fried et al. in J. Am. Chem. Soc., vol. 79, No. 5, pages 1130-1141 (1957).

In order that those skilled in the art may more fully understand the present invention, the following examples are set forth. These examples are given solely by way of illustration, and should not be considered as expressing limitations unless so set forth in the appended claims. All parts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise stated.

Example I The vegetative growth of Gibberella fujz'lcuroi (Fusarium moniliforme), ATCC 11161, obtained after one weeks incubation at 25 C. in an inclined test tube containing a potato dextrose-agar medium was suspended in 10 cc. of sterile water. One cc. of this suspension was then used to inoculate 10 one liter Erlenmeyer flasks, each containing 200 cc. of Cza-peks solution supplemented with 0.05% of yeast extract. The flasks were stirred in the presence of air, under submerged conditions (rotatory shakers operated at 150 r.p.m.) for 18 to 21 hours to obtain an abundant growth of the microorganism. To each flask there was then added 50 mg. of 6a-fiIl0IO-'16a,l7ozisopropylidenedioxy-A -pregnen-21-ol-3,20-dione, and the incubation was resumed for 18 hours further under the same conditions. Following this incubation period, the contents of the flasks were combined and then extracted several times with methylene chloride, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaported to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in methylene chloride, absorbed in a column charged with grams of silica gel and 15 grams of celite. The fractions eluted from the column with ether and ether-acetone (90/10) were found to contain 350 mg. of 6a-fluoro-16a,l7aisopropylidenedioxy A -pregnene-l1a,21-diol-3,20-dione, M.P. 25'5257 C. A max. 236-238 m log 5 4.19.

Example II The procedure of Example I was repeated in every detail but one. The oxygenating agent used Was a culture of Gibberella fujz'kuroi (Fusarium monz'lz'forme), Syntex strain III-4, ATCC No. 14842, and 6oc-fiu0l'O-6ot,17ocisopropylidenedioxy-A -pregnene-11a,21-diol-3,20 dione was produced in similar yield.

Example III Each of 10 one liter Erlenmeyer flasks containing 200 cc. of Czapeks solution supplemented with 0.05% of yeast extract were inoculated with 1 cc. of an aqueous microbial suspension of Gibberella fujikuroi (Fusarium moniliforme) Syntex strain III-4, ATCC No. 14842, obtained by superficial growth in potato dextrose-agar in an inclined test tube in the manner described in Example 1. Immediately after the addition of the microbial suspension, mg. of 6a-fluoro-16a-methyl-A -pregnene-1711,21- diol-3,20-dione were added to each flask, and the flasks were then stirred under aerobic conditions for 24 hours. The contents of the flasks were combined, extracted with chloroform, and the organic extract washed with water, dried, and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. By chromatography of the residue on silica gel-Celite there was obtained 6a-fluoro-l6a-methyl-A -pregnene- 11a,17u,21-triol-3,-20-dione in 75% yield.

Example IV The procedure of Example III was repeated but instead of adding the steroid starting material in solid form, it Was added dissolved in 2 cc. of dioxane per 50 mg. of steriod. Again 6a fluoro 16a. methyl-A -pregnene-11a, 17m,21-triol-3,20-dione was produced, this time in 68% yield.

Example V In accordance with the methods described in Examples I and II hereinabove, the steroid starting materials listed below (I) were converted into the corresponding 11ahydroxy derivatives (II).

I II

one.

fia-methyl- A -pregnene-17a,21-diol- 3,20-dioue.

6a,16u-dimethyl-A -preguene-l7a- 21-diol-3,20-dione.

fia-chloro-A -preguene-17d,21-diol-3,

ZO-dione.

fia-chloro- A 4 -preguadjene-17a-ol-3,

20dione.

Got-fluoro-A -pregnene-11a,17a,21-

triol-3,20-dione. 6a-flnoro-A" -pregnadiene-11 17a,

21-triol-3,20-dioue. GmfluOrO-Ma-methyl- A L -preg-nadiene-l1a,17a,21-tri0l-3,20-di0ne. Ga-fluor0-11a-hydroxy-progesterone. fia-methyl-l1a,17a-dihydroxyprogesterone. fiwmethyl-A -pregnene-11a,17a,21-

triol-3,20-dione. 6a,16a-d.imethy1-A -pregnene-11a,

17a,2l-triol-3,20-di0ne. fia-chloro- A pregnene-lla,17a,21-

triol-3,20-di0ne. Got-chloro-A --pregnad.iene-11a,17a-

diol,3,20-dione. fia-chloro-lGa-rnethyl-A -pregnene- 11a,17a,21-tri0l-3,20-dione. fia-chloro-la,17a-isopropylidenedioxy-A -pregnadiene-llafil- 20-dioue. diol-3,20-dione.

Example VI Example VII The procedure of Examples VI was again repeated, with a culture of F usarium neoceras Wr. et Rg., Wollenweber (Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Baarn, Holland), as the inoculum to again produce 6a-fill010- 16a,l7a-isopropylidenedioxy A pregnadiene 1141,21- diol-3,20'dione in similar yield.

Example VIII The method of Example I was repeated, using as the oxygenating microorganism Gibberella fujikuroi No. 1001 (Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Baarn, Holland), to produce 6a-fluoro-l6u,17a-isopropylidenedioxy- A -pregnene-lla,21-diol-3,20-dione.

Example IX To a 14 liter fermentor containing 10 liters of Czapeks medium supplemented with 0.05% of yeast extract there was added 50 cc. of an aqueous suspension of Gibberella fujikuroi (F usarium moniliforme), Syntex strain IH-4, ATCC No. 14842. Next, 2 grams of 6oc-fll1OI'O-16ot, 17u-isopropylidenedioxy-A -pregnen-21-ol-3,20-dione, dissolved in 10 cc. of dioxane, were added and the mixture stirred under aeration (600 liters of air per hour) for 18 hours, at the end of which time the amount of hYdl'OXl? ated compound was determined by paper chromatography (Zaffaronis method). The incubation was continued for 6 hours further following which time therewere then added 3 liters of methylene chloride to extract the product. This extraction operation was repeated three times. The combined extracts were then washed with water to neutral, dried, and evaporated to dryness. By chromatography of the residue on silica gel there was obtained 60cflllOI'O-16oz, 17a-isopropylidenedioxy A -pregnene 11a, 21-diol-3, 20-dione in 75% yield.

Example X The oxygenating microorganism Gibberella fujikuroi (Fusarium moniliforme) ATCC 1161, was cultivated in the above mentioned Czapek-yeast extract medium and then divided and placed in a number of 125 cc. Erlenmeyer flasks each containing 25 cc. of the same medium. After incubation at 25-28 C. with stirring for 4 hours, using rotatory shakers, there was obtained a growth formed by a very diffused mycelium and a great amount of spores of the fungus. This culture was passed through a glass wood layer placed in a Buchner funnel in order to retain the dispersed mycelium and let pass only the spores. The spores were recovered from the filtrate by centrifugation, washed with sterile water and resuspended in an equal volume of a phosphate buffer solution, pH 7.0. This suspension was then divided into 25 cc. portions and placed in a number of 125 cc. Erlenmeyer flasks. To each flask there was then added 5 mg. of 6a-methyl-A -pregnene- 17a,21-diol-3,20-dione, and the resulting mixture was in and a halogen to the corresponding llot-hydroxy steroid which comprises subjecting said ll-desoxy steroid to the oxygenating action of a microorganism of the genus Fusarium, Liseola Section.

2. A process as described in claim 1 wherein the microorganism of the genus Fusarium, Liseola Section, is Gibberella fujikuroi (F usarilzm moniliforme), ATCC No. 14842.

3. A process as described in claim 1 wherein the microorganism of the genus Fusarium, Liseola Section, is Gibberella fujikuroi (F usarium moniliforme), ATCC NO. 10704.

4. A process as described in claim 1 wherein the microorganism of the genus Fusarium, Liseola Section, is Gibberella fujikuroi (F ltsarium moniliforme), ATCC NO. 11161.

5. A process as described in claim 1 wherein the microorganism of the genus Fusarium, Liseola Section, is F usarium neoceras Wr. et Rg. (Wollenweber).

6. A process as described in claim 1 wherein the microorganism of the genus Fusarium, Liseola Section, is

cubated for 18 hours, with stirring, using rotatory shakers.

After this period of time the transformed steroid was extracted in a similar manner to that previously described. There was thus obtained 6a-methylA pregnene-11a,17a, 21-triol-3,20-dione in 60% yield.

Example XI To a solution of 0.5 g. of 6a-fiuoro-16a-methyl-A pregnene-l1a,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione, obtained as described in Example III, in cc. of chloroform, there were added 4 cc. of a aqueous solution of formaldehyde and 0.5 cc. of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The resulting mixture was stirred for 48 hours at room temperature. The resulting 2-layer mixture was separated, the aqueous layer was Washed with chloroform, the chloroform washings were combined with the organic layer, and the combined organic solution was washed with water to neutral, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The residue was recrystallized from methanel ether, thus producing l7,20;20,2lbismethylenedioxy-6a-fiuoro-16a methyl A pregnen- 1la-0l-3-OI1B.

The foregoing bismethylenedioxy compound was dissolved in 20 cc. of acetone, cooled to 0 C., and then treated under an atmosphere of nitrogen, while stirring, with an 8 N solution of chromic acid (prepared by mixing 26 g. of chromium trioxide with 23 cc. of concentrated sulfuric acid and dilution with water to 100 cc.) until the color of the reagent persisted in the mixture. The reaction mixture was then stirred for 5 minutes further at 05 C. and then diluted with water. The resulting precipitate was filtered, washed with water and dried under vacuum. A mixture of 400 mg. of the resulting crude compound and 10 cc. of 60% formic acid was heated on the steam bath for 1 hour, then cooled and diluted with water, dried and recrystallized from acetonehexane, thus producing 6a-fiuoro-16a-methyl cortisone, identical to an authentic sample.

Example XII Example III was repeated, using Gibberella fujikuroi (Fusarium moniliforme), ATCC 10704, as the oxygenating microorganism, thus producing 6a-fiuorol6a-methyl- A -pregnene-1la,17u,2l-triol-3,20-dione in 68% yield.

It will be obvious to' those skilled in the art that other changes and variations can be made in carrying out the present invention Without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A process for the conversion of an ll-desoxy steroid which is substituted at the 6-position with a member selected from the group consisting of a lower alkyl group Fusarium lactis Pir. et Rib. (Wollenweber).

7. A process for the conversion of an ll-desoxy steroid represented by the general formula:

C HzR wherein R and R are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl group containing up to 8 carbon atoms, an aryl group, an aralkyl group, an alkaryl group and a monocyclic heterocyclic group, and R and R taken together represent a member selected from the group consisting of a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group, an alkaryl group and a monocyclic heterocyclic group; X is selected from the group consisting of a lower alkyl group and a halogen, with the symbol 5 connecting X to the steroid nucleus representing both the O!- and the ,B-configuration; Z is selected from the group consisting of a single bond and a double bond at the 1,2-position, and Z is selected from the group consisting of a single bond and a double bond at the 6,7- position, to the corresponding lla-hydroxy steroid which comprises subjecting said ll-desoxy steroid to the oxygenating action of a microorganism of the genus Fusarium, Liseola Section.

8. A process as described in claim 7 wherein said ll-desoxy steroid is 6u-fluoro-l6a,17a-isopropylidenedioxy-A -pregnen-21-ol-3,20-dione and the product obtained is 6ot-ftuoro-16a,l7a-isopropylidenedioxy A pregnenella,2l-diol-3,20-dione.

9 1G 9. A process as described in claim 7 wherein said 11- References Cited by the Examiner desoxy steroid is 6a fluoro 160a methyl A pregnene- UNITED STATES PATENTS 17a,21-diol-3,20-dione and the product obtained is 60cfiuoro-16a-methy1-A -pregnene 11zx,17a,21 -tri01 3,20- 2195 0,226 8/60 Mannhardt et a1 19551 dione. 2,985,563 5/61 Carvzual 19551 10. A process as described in claim 7 wherein said 11- 3,904,047 10/61 plfled et 195 51 3,084,106 4/63 Hitzman et a1 195-51 desoxy steroid is 6a-fiuoro-A -pregnadiene-17a,2l-dio1- 3,20-di0ne and the product obtained is 6a-flL10ro-A -pregv nadiene 11a,17a21 tri01 320 dioneI A. LOUIS MONACELL, Pl lm'ary Examiner. 

1. A PROCESS FOR THE CONVERSION OF AN 11-DESOXY STEROID WHICH IS SUBSTITUTED AT THE 6-POSITIOIN WITH A MEMBER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF A LOWER ALKYL GROUP AND A HALOGEN TO THE CORRESPONDING 11A-HYDROXY STEROID WHICH COMPRISES SUBJECTING SAID 11-DEXOSY STEROID TO THE OXYGENATING ACTION OF A MICROORGANISM OF THE GENUS FUSARIUM, LISEOLA SECTION. 